How One Female Minister is Giving Ex-Convicts a Second Chance at Life

Gloria Walton knows that the key to keeping ex-criminals out of prison starts with a place to call home.

By
Tracy Saelinger

Sep 7, 2016

On the day Barbara Murray was released from the Hudson County jail in Kearny, NJ, after serving nine months for shoplifting, she felt relieved—and overwhelmed.

"I finally had my freedom, but I was starting from scratch," says Barbara, 46, who left prison with only $40 in her pocket. She also feared slipping back into her old ways. Barbara had served time previously, also for shoplifting. After that sentence, "no one offered me any assistance," she says.

This time, she was desperate for a change. Luckily, a local judge had selected her as a candidate for the Most Excellent Way Life Center, a transitional home in Jersey City, NJ. Barbara took a bus straight there.

"You can't change the past. But we're at least providing a fresh start."

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Barbara Murray (left) with Gloria Walton.

Lisa Weatherbee

LED BY HOPE

Founded in a small apartment in 2011 by Rev. Gloria Walton, Most Excellent Way offers newly released women a warm bed, and job and life skills training in a community environment. Walton got her start as a child protective services supervisor, working with kids whose mothers were in and out of jail. After about two decades on the job, "I began to recognize the names of mothers because I had serviced them when they were children," she says. "Poverty, violence, child abuse and homelessness is a vicious cycle."

Walton currently serves as an associate minister at Bethesda Baptist Church in Jersey City while running two nonprofit Most Excellent Way homes: the one for women, and one for men that opened in 2005. In total, she has about 30 residents, some of whom struggle with addiction or suffer from post-traumatic stress caused by abusive relationships.

To earn a spot at Most Excellent Way, which is funded largely by emergency housing assistance programs, inmates must first interview with Walton by phone.

"Gloria doesn't judge," says Tonya Franklin, 39, who was accepted at the center two years ago after serving nine months in prison for arson. "She makes a place for everyone who deserves a second chance." Tonya completed the standard 90-day program, then stayed on to earn a high school diploma last spring. Now she works for a package delivery company and has her sights set on a culinary arts degree.

Resident Tonya Franklin

Lisa Weatherbee

NEW LIFE LESSONS

Once a resident moves into the home, he or she signs a contract agreeing to follow the house rules. Walton also requires a 30-day blackout period during which they can't communicate with friends or family and can only leave the premises for court dates and necessary errands with a mentor.

Throughout each former inmate's stay, Walton evaluates their behavior, giving both clinical and practical feedback. Sometimes she goes back to basics, reiterating the importance of being on time and of completing chores around the house. "I'm hands-on," says Walton, who lives on-site. "Every moment is a teaching moment."

One of Walton's biggest priorities is helping residents start the process of reuniting with their families. Many of the women are mothers, and Walton sees firsthand the effects that a parent's imprisonment and addictions have on children."I enjoy setting them on the road to recovery," says Walton. "You can't change the past, but we're at least providing a fresh start."

A WORTHY REWARD

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Many of the women at Most Excellent Way need job training and lessons in money management. Often, when residents get their first paycheck, Walton sees some of them spend it on cookies, chips and other frivolous items. "I'll let them have that moment of self- indulgence," says Walton. Then she watches as they learn better ways to use their money from residents further along in their recovery. "At a certain point, it clicks," she says.

Residents Takeala Wilson, Alice Jackson and Sarah Quinton.

Lisa Weatherbee

Some of the women at Most Excellent Way have the opportunity to learn the trade of jewelry making at Same Sky, a nonprofit organization that meets in the building—but earning a spot at the table is a privilege. After 30 days at the residence, Walton introduces the jewelry program to women who have demonstrated their commitment to rehabilitation.

Once the women learn the skills of the trade, "you see kindness and hope begin to shine," says Walton. "They now have something positive to concentrate on."

Today, Barbara Murray is one of Walton's favorite success stories. Barbara now serves as a house monitor at Most Excellent Way and makes jewelry for Same Sky. She's also studying for a certification in addiction counseling. Without Walton's help, "I don't know where I would be right now," says Barbara.

A Most Excellent Way keychain

Lisa Weatherbee

"It's hard work to provide the type of services I do and there's no monetary reward," says Walton. "But the gratitude I receive, and seeing families reunited—I can't put a dollar figure on that."

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Woman's Day participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.